My co-worker is undergoing chemo & radiation therapy for 8 wks for breast cancer. Am I @ risk in small office?

Question

I am afraid to ask her because I don't want to hurt her feelings. I want to try to have a baby soon but I don't know if the radiation treatment she will have will effect my chances of getting pregnant or harm the baby. I work in a very small office. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

LOL you have nothing to fear, unless you drink her chemo pouch. As far as radiation that is done in a hospital or clinic and is localized. You have as much chance as catching something from her as she does catching your pregnancy.

Answer 2

You only quote one reliable source, the NEJM, and it doesn't say anything is wrong with chemo. All it says is that people who survive leukemia (thanks to chemo) are more likely to get cancer again later. You've assumed that this means that the chemo causes future cancer because that fits your existing beliefs. Rather, I'm sure, that this article is actually about the fact that some people are more likely to get cancer than others. And so people who get leukemia often end up with cancer again later in life. I'm sorry your family has faced so much cancer that's not fair and no one should have to deal with that. I watched my grandmother suffer through chemo and still die from breast cancer. But your conclusion that it was the chemo that killed them, or that chemo was useless since they didn't survive, is wrong. It's much more likely the the chemo extending their time with you, even if only by a little bit. Chemo is a brutal treatment, but we use it because it works and you're not going to find anything other than psuedoscience and conspiracy theories that say other wise. Instead of ranting like a child and hunting for discredited works and out of context quotes that seem to make your position correct, why don't you honor the memories of your lost family members by actually educating yourself on cancer and its treatment.

Answer 3

There are no risks at all !

In most radiotherapies, the patient is submitted to radiation from an external source. That means they do not become radioactive themselves. Exception to this is when a radioactive source is implanted in the tumor (but I've never heard of this in breast cancer), and even then the source is calibrated to irradiate only the tumor.

Answer 4

This is not a stupid question and obviously some of these people cannot read. Anyway, I'm a nurse in a psych. hospital and our policy says that pregnant women cannot handle the chemo. drug itself, and cannot handle bodily fluids and waste such as urine, poo, tears, blood, etc. These do contain some radiation. My mother is getting ready to undergo chemo. and I'm trying to conceive. I'm worried too. I'm going to ask her Dr. about this when she's not around.

Answer 5

No, the Radiation goes right through her and hopefully kills what ever cancer cells she may have. It can not affect you in anyway. None of the radiation caused in therapy stays with the patient at any time.

Answer 6

No her having radiation treatment will not affect you.

She isn't going to become radio active from having radiation treatments.

These are old crazy myths about radiation therapy.

I swear to you you will be just fine...the only person it will affect is her...

Answer 7

I truly truly doubt it. The radiation is in her. It is not contagious because if that was the case then they wouldn´t be allowed back to work so soon.

Answer 8

NO FEAR
I was in the same situation and I gls to say she is Cancer free 11 years and I had a perfect baby!!!

Answer 9

NO! The radiation she gets has no effect on anyone but her.
But, don't get any xrays yourself including dental. That could effect you.

Answer 10

This is a ridiculous question. Once again! CANCER IS NOT CONTAGIOUS! Seriously folks! These kinds of questions are almost offensive!